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'The Terminator' (1984) is an American sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron, which is now considered a classic of the 'Tech Noir' genre. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cyborg assassin, sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 with the mission to kill a woman before she can give birth to the future leader of the human resistance. The movie became a massive hit and is now regarded as a cult classic.
With its widespread fame, it's nearly impossible to find anyone—regardless of age—who hasn't at least heard of 'The Terminator'. If you're reading this, it's highly likely that you've seen the film or some of its sequels. So, let’s dive into 10 things you probably didn't know about this iconic movie.
10. It All Started with a Dream
James Cameron, the visionary director behind 'The Terminator', had only one previous film to his name when he took on this project. His earlier film, 'Piranha II: The Spawning' (1982), was met with poor reception. Undeterred by the failure, Cameron found inspiration in an unusual way for his next project, which ultimately became 'The Terminator'.
One day, Cameron suffered a high fever that led him into a deep sleep, where he experienced a vivid dream. In the dream, a figure, resembling death, emerged from flames. The fire had stripped its skin, revealing the true nature of the creature. This dream later sparked the concept for the iconic film The Terminator. It was a pivotal moment, influencing the development of the movie’s central character. With this, James Cameron achieved incredible success.
9. Lance Henriksen Was the First to Play the Terminator Character
When it came time for James Cameron to pitch The Terminator to potential producers, he came up with a dramatic way to grab their attention. At a meeting with Hemdale Film Corporation, Cameron had actor Lance Henriksen dress up as the Terminator. To add to the effect, Henriksen was instructed to arrive fifteen minutes earlier than Cameron himself.
Just before Cameron's arrival, Henriksen, in full Terminator attire, barged into the meeting room, wearing a leather jacket and gold foil on his teeth. He staged a convincing performance, so much so that the secretary, startled, dropped her typewriter onto her lap. His portrayal earned him the role of Detective Hal Vukovich in the film.
8. Cameron Had Considered Schwarzenegger for the Role of Kyle Reese
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who would ultimately portray the Terminator, was initially considered for the role of Kyle Reese. During his first meeting with James Cameron, Schwarzenegger expressed interest in playing the heroic Kyle Reese, but upon realizing that the Terminator had limited dialogue, he reconsidered his position.
Schwarzenegger began to suggest how the Terminator character could be portrayed, and it became clear to Cameron that the actor was more suited for the title role. Cameron, convinced of his choice, offered Schwarzenegger the part of the Terminator, which Schwarzenegger accepted at Cameron's urging.
7. The Most Iconic Line in the Movie Almost Didn’t Happen
The famous line from the film would have been lost if not for James Cameron’s resolve. In the movie, Schwarzenegger’s character delivers the now-iconic line, which has since become the franchise’s most famous quote. In one scene, the Terminator enters a police station searching for Sarah Connor. When the desk sergeant informs him that Sarah isn’t available, the Terminator delivers the line, 'I’ll be back.'
Schwarzenegger initially suggested saying, 'I will be back,' but Cameron disagreed. He firmly told Schwarzenegger, 'Do not tell me how to write because I do not tell you how to act.' Ultimately, the original line remained, and as Cameron had predicted, Schwarzenegger delivered it perfectly.
6. The Terminator Pioneered a New Movie Genre
James Cameron embedded a hidden message in the film, one that only he initially understood before it became widely known. During the scene where Sarah Connor is first chased by the Terminator, she takes refuge in a Los Angeles club called 'Tech Noir.' The name was crafted by Cameron to reference a genre he believed the film would belong to, a genre that didn’t yet exist.
Over time, Tech Noir has come to define a distinct genre of its own. The term 'Tech Noir' now represents a fusion of futuristic sci-fi and classic film noir. Examples of movies that fall within this genre include Gamer (2009), which revolves around a virtual reality game where players control real humans, as well as Dredd (2012) and Hardcore Henry (2015).
5. In Poland, the Film Was Released Under the Title 'The Electronic Murderer'
While the film The Terminator maintained its original title across the globe, Poland was an exception. There, it was released as The Electronic Murderer. At the time, the word 'terminator' in Polish translated to 'apprentice,' so the title was changed to better reflect the film’s action-packed nature. It made sense, as an audience likely wouldn't be interested in a film about an apprentice.
When Terminator 2: Judgment Day arrived in Poland, it retained its global title, as the Polish audience had now come to understand the meaning of 'Terminator' and what to expect from the sequel.
4. The Original Plan Included Two Terminators
The original concept for The Terminator involved sending two Terminators back in time: one to eliminate Sarah Connor, and the other to protect her. Both roles were to be played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, due to the film's limited budget, the plan was altered to feature only one Terminator.
The idea of two Terminators ultimately made it into Terminator 2: Judgment Day. In this sequel, Skynet sends the T-1000 to assassinate young John Connor, the future resistance leader. In response, the resistance sends a reprogrammed T-800 Terminator back to protect him.
3. Another Writer Claimed Cameron Stole His Idea
Although The Terminator is often considered James Cameron's most brilliant creation, especially with the sequels that followed, it was not universally acclaimed upon its release. One notable critic was Harlan Ellison, a well-known and highly regarded author and screenwriter. While Ellison enjoyed the film, he couldn't ignore the similarities it bore to his own 1964 episode of The Outer Limits titled 'Soldier.' In Ellison’s story, two soldiers—one good and one evil—are sent back in time. He also pointed out that the design of the T-800’s exoskeleton seemed remarkably similar to a robot in his work 'Demon with a Glass Hand.'
Ellison took legal action against James Cameron and The Terminator's distributor, Orion Pictures. Although Cameron believed the lawsuit was unfounded and opportunistic, and was prepared to fight, Orion Pictures had other plans. They informed him that if the case went to court and he lost, he would bear the full financial burden. The case was eventually settled out of court. Ellison, known for filing similar lawsuits, has also targeted the creators of In Time and the long-established internet service provider AOL over alleged copyright violations.
2. James Cameron Sold The Terminator Script for $1
When James Cameron wrote The Terminator, he was living out of his car. His agent, who was meant to promote the script and generate interest, wasn't a fan of the idea and was eventually fired by Cameron. Undeterred, Cameron set out to find a way to get the script produced on his own.
When marketing The Terminator, James Cameron faced an uphill battle—his directorial debut, Piranha II, had not been well-received. Despite The Terminator being an innovative concept, many questioned if a director with Cameron's history could bring it to life. Cameron received multiple offers for the script, some with hefty sums of money, but none of the studios were willing to let him direct.
Eventually, Cameron came to an agreement with his co-writer Hurd. He would sell her the full rights to the script for a mere dollar, on the condition that he would be allowed to direct the film. The deal was set, and it held firm.
1. Schwarzenegger Has Less Than 100 Words in the Movie
In the first Terminator, Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of the T-800 as a silent, stoic figure was crucial to his character. He delivered only 17 lines, amounting to less than 70 words. The decision to limit the Terminator's dialogue worked well in creating an intimidating, emotionless character—an “Electronic Murderer” whose actions spoke louder than any words. One memorable line that still resonates is when he states, “I’ll be back.”
When comparing the original Terminator to its sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, in which the Terminator speaks 700 words, it’s clear the foresight of the original writers was spot on. No other film in the franchise has managed to create a catchphrase as iconic as “I’ll be back.” While other lines have come and gone, none have matched the enduring impact of that single quote from the first movie.
